as in bores
someone or something boring
as neither candidate was willing to make an unequivocal statement about anything, the debate proved to be a complete yawn
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of yawns
Olivier Lafontant, Pitchfork, 13 Feb. 2026
The oohs and aahs over a 100-mph pitch have been replaced by yawns.
—Bill Shaikin, Los Angeles Times, 18 Jan. 2026
Chris and Jason are fun to look at, but their personalities give me an intense case of the yawns.
—Brian Moylan, Vulture, 17 Dec. 2025
Noun
With that indelible Southern gift for pulling new lingo from thin air, the duo deploy yawns that stretch like bungee over Zaytoven-type keys.
—Olivier Lafontant, Pitchfork, 13 Feb. 2026
The oohs and aahs over a 100-mph pitch have been replaced by yawns.
—Bill Shaikin, Los Angeles Times, 18 Jan. 2026
Chris and Jason are fun to look at, but their personalities give me an intense case of the yawns.
—Brian Moylan, Vulture, 17 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for yawns
Noun
-
Some resorts in the Mamanuca Islands are set to lose entire wings to the sea in the coming years, and drinking water in villages is already being infiltrated by salt from seawater seeping into ground bores.—
MIchelle Duff,
HollywoodReporter,
27 Apr. 2026
-
Her books were their progeny, Stein acknowledged, and without Alice’s mothering—and typing, proofreading, cooking, sewing, shopping, bookkeeping, and warding off bores—they might not have been born.—
Judith Thurman,
New Yorker,
29 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
The bottom shelf ensures that any drips or leaks don't get on other foods.—
Anne Wolf,
Martha Stewart,
19 Apr. 2026
-
Use a protective pad when working on cars or lawn equipment to protect it from drips.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
11 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Sylvia, my copilot, snores softly.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
29 Apr. 2026
-
But not everyone who snores has sleep apnea, and not everyone with sleep apnea snores.—
Tom Gavin,
EverydayHealth.com,
15 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
In the video, Chilli sniffs large bricks to locate the scent a trainer shared with him.—
Katie Hill,
PEOPLE,
6 Jan. 2026
-
Tovar is the one officer who immediately sniffs out that there’s something weird about Gacy, and Luna incrementally nudges the character further and further into obsession.—
Kathryn VanArendonk,
Vulture,
1 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
Agnes gasps for breath as her imagination plays out terrible scenarios that she’s never been given words for.—
Amanda Whiting,
Vulture,
15 Apr. 2026
-
Deadline journalists sat towards the back of the room said the N-word and other slurs were audible, as were gasps when Davidson made his involuntary tics.—
Max Goldbart,
Deadline,
27 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Some mention of bonus bets that whiffs of free money.—
Max Klaver,
Miami Herald,
10 Apr. 2026
-
World Baseball Classic Team USA whiffs Team USA lost 3-2 to Venezuela in the World Baseball Classic title game Tuesday night.—
Nicole Fallert,
USA Today,
18 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Then is too stoic to open up, but then the appearance of the book magically snuffs out that flicker of tension.—
Lily Janiak,
San Francisco Chronicle,
6 June 2025
Verb
-
The film wheezes through its less-than-80-minute running time, and no one seems all that sad to move on.—
Will Leitch,
Vulture,
16 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Yawns.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/yawns. Accessed 3 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
